Synthesis of cam profile using classical splines and the effect of knot locations on the acceleration, jump, and interface force of cam follower system

Abstract

Large positive acceleration against a load creates cam follower interface force that can cause excessive wear. Negative acceleration tends to reduce the cam follower interface force, and if the negative acceleration is sufficiently large, jump between the cam and follower can occur. Hence, these are the two main concerns of cam designers. This study presents a new approach to adjust the acceleration, interface force, and jump in the early phase of cam design. Knot locations of polynomial pieces of spline curves are considered as design variables which gives variety of cam profiles. Here, design process starts from displacement profile and there is no need for predefined acceleration curves. A single dwell cam displacement function is defined by classical spline curve, made up of four polynomial pieces that are tied together at their ends, called knots. Specifications of these knots are considered for synthesis and analysis of cam follower system. Mathematical relation between interface force and knot locations is presented as wear and jump models. These models are useful to reduce wear and jump by proper placement of the knots on the basis of interface force. By dynamic simulation of cam follower system, cam curves are drawn for different cases of knot locations and good resemblance was found with theoretical curves. This study suggests the cam designers have the added option to control the kinematic and dynamic quantities without changing the physical parameters of cam follower system.